I've looked at a lot of pics of everyone sailing in their PFD and not seeing any auto inflatable ones. I have a Hobie lifevest and a Mustang auto inflatable. The auto inflatable seems more comfortable but I'm wondering if I should be using the Hobie vest instead. I'm sailing inland, no oceans. Thanks for your recs/insights!

Like most, I've gone through a number of vests. Hobie's Life Vest is poor in a number of respects. (1) It does not have a side-release buckle belt--zipper is the only closure. (2) Only 2 pockets, both of which are very tight. (3) No loops to tie emergency equipment. (4) Light-weight, delicate materials. (5) Unless you have small hands, difficult to start zipper--too snug to flotation material.

Since I do solo camp trips, I do not use an inflatable vest. I want a PFD which works whether I am incapacitated or not.

An excellent vest is the c-vest from NRS. http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2157 It has a mesh back with high flotation which fits above the Hobie seat back. It also addresses every shortcoming of the Hobie Life Vest mentioned above. The vest has 6 pockets. When I am underway, it holds a tethered VHF radio, tethered SPOT device, tethered Leatherman knife, tethered waterproof camera, spool of leader material, snack bars. On the NRS site it rates a 4.8/5.0 stars--21 reviews.

Unfortunately the Palm does not meet PFD1 standards here in Australia, which is 150N. This is a requirement for crossing most river bars in the country.

Can you link to a photo of a 150N PFD1 deployed?

I ask because, depending on what country you are in, there can be confusion between the terms Life Jacket, Personal Floatation Device, Buoyancy Aid.

In the UK, 150N flotation would only be required for a Life Jacket. These must be designed so that an unconscious person would be turned face up in the water. Which is fine, but they are generally so bulky when inflated that they would seriously obstruct an active swimmer trying to re-board their boat.

A UK Buoyancy Aid, like the Palm one, is aimed at the "active swimmer" scenario rather than the "unconscious casualty." They will commonly have 50-70N flotation, and have less bulk, so as not to get in the way. They also often have pockets so that emergency items like knife, whistle, radio can stay with the wearer if they get separated from the boat.

They are different devices for different scenarios. I suppose a compromise would be to use an auto-inflate life jacket which would turn you face up, but had an option to partially deflate manually, reducing the bulk and flotation, but making it easier to re-board your boat. But I haven't heard of anything like that on the market.

I don't have a photo of one inflated, but as far as I am aware, all inflatable lifejackets have an inflation tube, in which a small valve can be pressed to let some or all of the air out (or put some in). I have heard of some people blowing a small amount of air into the jacket during deteriorating conditions, to provide some buoyancy without the jacket becoming too bulky, retaining the option to inflate it fully if needed.

It seems to be the general concensus that auto-inflating lifejackets are unsuitable for use on Islands as the very wet environment could lead to premature inflation, hence manually operated (by pulling the ripcord, or inflating it by mouth) is the preferred approach.

I already researched this topic myself several months back... this PFD has big pockets & lash tabs for emergency gear, big zippers, buckle closure and zipper closure, it's from NRS so it's well made, it has passive flotation. Also, NRS is a fantastic company with great products. I have a lot of their gear and I absolutely love it all.

Whatever you ultimately decide on, buy the vest in the country you'll be sailing in so it's sure to meet that nation's legal requirements.

Edit: just realized that it's for sale at most places for $150 which is a lot better. Still missing the hand warmer pockets though. All the features are there besides them, they're not too big of a deal but they'd just be nice really. Still open to other suggestions also.

I love my Kokatat Bahia.Have had a whole slew of different pfd's over the years, and this one is IT for me.has a couple of pockets- zippered for small stuff (fits an PLB), then a nice radio pocket. The pockets are large enough to hold most "on the body items", but not so big to make self-rescue a PITA. Nice high back mesh. I've worn it from 100 degree heat (F of course), to freezing and it is comfortable throughout the range.